Boulder Birth Community Classroom will be opening its doors in December, 2011 at 4800 Riverbend Road, Suite 100. The purpose of the classroom is to create a community for women and their families in an effort to educate, inspire and nurture. Boulder Nurse Midwives will be offering group prenatal visits each trimester where women will learn essential information and have an opportunity to meet other women and families at similar stages in pregnancy. There is nothing like a classroom to promote dialogue and learning far beyond what can be done one on one or from a book alone. The classroom schedule will be posted on our website and the offerings will be varied and immense. We will offer:
 

• group prenatal visits,
• prenatal classes,
• yoga,
• acupuncture,
• breastfeeding classes and support,
• nutrition workshops,
• a post partum support group,
• a lecture series that focuses on relationships and parenting
• and much more.

In an effort to support the arts, the BBCC will have a rotating art gallery where people can come and enjoy the creativity that abounds in this community. Our first featured artist is Amy Swagman who creates mandalas.

Amy Swagman, local doula and fine artist, began making mandalas to prepare for the birth of her third daughter. Creating these pieces helped her to envision (and ultimately create) her ideal birth as well as meditate to prepare for labor. Since her daughter’s arrival the mandala project has broadened to draw from other women’s experiences of their births. Through her art she hopes to change the climate of birth from fear to empowerment and convey feminine energy. You can view Amy’s art at themandalajourney.com.

Our other artist is Anne O’Brien. Anne knits and has created a series of boiled wool, boot slippers for the Boulder Birth Community Classroom. These slippers will be for sale in the BBCC.   Each pair of slippers are individually different, colorful,  pieces of art. The slippers are displayed to represent the postpartum period. We believe that women should be at home after having their babies and be in their “slippers” for two weeks being taken care of. The incidence of postpartum depression drops tremendously when women can have support postpartum by being cared for, cooked for, and by receiving adequate rest.

We will also have a lending library where people can borrow and donate books and videos. We will limit the donations to books related to pregnancy, women’s health and childcare and rearing. We are hoping to create an atmosphere where people will come and be comfortable, have a cup of tea and enjoy conversation with other women and their families.

Let’s continue to build community and support our families.

Merrilynn